Abstract
This study investigated factors that motivate university students to participate in community engagement projects. Specifically, the study sought to identify factors that motivate students to participate in community engagement projects at Fort Hare University, identify perceived benefits of community engagement to students, investigate activities of students’ societies that are involved in community engagement projects at Fort Hare University and therefore establish the role of the university management in supporting students’ societies. Questionnaires were used to gather data from respondents. Convenience sampling method was used. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that students are motivated by the desire to satisfy their needs and also by goals that they want to achieve. Institutional support also plays a role in motivating students. It is recommended that institutions of higher learning should support students’ societies and encourage students to participate in community projects. Students are encouraged to participate in community engagement projects for they will also benefit. Key words: Students, community engagement, projects, motivate, university, participate.
Highlights
Community engagement was a relatively an unknown concept to South African higher education until the late 1990s (Lazarus et al, 2008: 57)
The key findings of this research include that students are generally motivated by the goals that they set for themselves and by the desire to satisfy their needs
This study concludes that there are different factors that motivate students to participate in community engagement projects
Summary
Community engagement was a relatively an unknown concept to South African higher education until the late 1990s (Lazarus et al, 2008: 57). The white paper calls on higher education institutions to demonstrate social responsibility and their commitment to the common good by making available expertise and infrastructure for community engagement programmes. Community engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference (Ehrlich, 2000:vi). It means promoting the quality of life in a community
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